Electrical switch



Oct. 24, 1939. w, RHEYA ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 17, 1938 l/JY/d/"dElma way'w az ATTORNEYS raata- Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE3 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly tosnap switches wherein a plurality of contacts are employed.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an improvedform of snap switch wherein groups of contact members are connectedtogether by a single action of the switch operatingmedium.

Another objectof my invention is to provide a device of the abovedescribed character which is simple'in construction, eflicient inoperation, easy of assembly, durable in use and economical inmanufacture.

Other objects and-advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein likereferonce characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

H8. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a top. plan view of the mounting or switch box, certain of theparts being removed therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame illustrating the arrangementof the blades.

Pig. 6 is' a detail enlarged sectional view taken on the line 8-6 ofFigure 4.

In practicing my invention I employ a mountin: I preferably in the formof a switch box having the usual side and end walls 6 and 1 respectivelyand of an elongated configuration having an open top.

The upper faces of the side walls are recessed and accommodate thereinoffset sections 8 of depending contact members 9, the contact members onone side forming one group and the contact members on the opposite sideforming another group. The lower ends of the contact members of onegroup are folded to form channels opening in one direction and the endsof the contact members of the oppositely disposed group are i folded toform channels opening in an opposite direction for a purpose hereinaftermade apparent.

The'upper sections of the end wall I of the switch box are formed withdownwardly extending V-shaped slots l0 and accommodate .therein pivotsll fashioned on an elongated frame l2.-

Said frame comprises longitudinally extending side bars forming contactblades l3 connected together at the ends thereof by means of integrallyl formed transverse bars II. The contact blades are angularly disposedrelative to the longitudinal plane of the bars [4 for seating within thechannels of the contact members 9. The transverse bars M are fashionedwith a depending yoke having a longitudinally extending member 6 l5.Said member intermediate of the length thereof is fashioned with anenlarged section l6 having a projection ll for accommodating and forminga seat for one end of a coil spring l8 hereinafter more fully described.

.The contact members 9 intermediate of the length thereof are secured tothe walls 6 by means of screws I9 and the top sections 8 of said membersare provided with binding screws for securing an electrical connection,for in- 1 stance a wire, thereto. The upper faces of the walls 6 areformed with recesses subjacent the screws 20 whereby to accommodate theshanks of the screws when the same are adjusted into binding position.

Mounted on the top of the switch box is a cover plate 2| and secured tosaid switch box by means of screws as at 22. Intermediate of the lengththereof, the cover plate 2| is slotted and accommodates an actuatinglever 23. Said lever is 2 pivoted to said cover plate by means of a pin24 journaled in eyes formed on the lower face of said cover plateadjacent the slot thereof.

The lower end of the lever v23 has secured thereto a shank having a ballhead 25 secured 39 within a collar 26 and said head and collar form aball and socket joint. The collar is fashioned with a projection andforms a seat for retaining thereon the opposite end of the spring l8heretofore described. Actuation of the lever 23 serves to move thecollar 26 past the axes of the pivots ll of the frame therebycompressing the spring l8 during the movement of the lever. As thespring moves past the axes of the pivots the frame will be oscillated inthe opposite direction due to the tension exerted on the depending yokeI5 and thereby snap the blades l3 into or out of engagementwith thecontact members 9 as the case may be.

It is to be understood that any number of contact members may be securedto each' side of the switch box and that the blades effect an electricalconnection between all of the members upon movement to engaging positiontherewith.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a snapswitch constituted of a minimum number of parts and adapted for manypurposes where a snap switch is desired, one instance being that ofconnecting the lights in each room of a building thereto whereby all of66 said lights may belighted at one time. This instance of use isadvantageous in homes where it is desired to light all the rooms of thehome at one time, for instance at night when it is thought that burglarsmay be entering the home.

It is to be noted that the action of the spring walls within said boxand formed with connected end and side bars, said side bars constitutingcontact blades and arranged between said groups of contact members forselective engagement therewith, a yoke connected to said end bars anddepending therefrom, a cover plate-secured over said box, a leverpivotally mounted on said plate and extending within said box above saidyoke, a spring connecting said yoke to said lever and normally disposedto one-side of the axes of the said pivots to cohibit pivoting of saidframe,

said spring operated by said lever to the opposite sides of said axes toeffect pivoting of said frame and impart a snap action to said bladesfor making and breaking contact with said members.

2. a snap switch, comprising, a box having side and end walls and anopen top, spaced groups of contact members secured to said side wallsrespectively and extending into said box, said members on one side ofsaid box formed with channels opening in one direction and those on theopposite side formed with channels opening in the opposite direction, anelongated frame having pivots pivoted to said end walls within said boxand formed with connected end and side bars. said side bars constitutingcontact blades and arranged between said groups of contact members forselective engagement within the channels of said members, a yokeconnected to said end bars and depending therefrom, a cover platesecured over said box, a lever pivotally mounted on said plate andextending within said box above said yoke, a spring connecting said yoketo said lever and normally disposed to one side of the axes of the saidpivots to cohibit pivoting of said frame, said spring operated by saidlever to the opposite sides of said axes toeifect pivoting of said frameand impart a snap action to said blades for-making and breaking contactwith said members.

3. A snap switch, comprising, a box having side and end walls and anopen top, spaced groups of contact members secured to said side wallsrespectively and extending into said box, said members'on one side ofsaid box formed with channels opening in one direction and those on theopposite side formed with channels opening in the opposite direction, anelongated frame having pivots pivoted to said end walls within said boxand formed with connected end and side bars, said side bars constitutingcontact blades and arranged between said groups of contact members forselective engagement within the channels of said members, a yokeconnected to said end bars and depending therefrom, a cover plateJccuredover said box, a. lever pivotally mounted on said plate and having anend provided with a ball and socket joint extending within said-box.,above said yoke, a spring connecting said yoke to said Joint. andnormally disposed to one side of the axes of the said pivots to cohibitpivoting 01' said frame,- said spring operated by saiddever to theopposite sides of said axes to eifect pivoting of said frame and imparta snap action-to said blades for making and breaking contact with saidmembers.

WILLARD RHEA.

